They did it again. The New York Giants started out 6-2, talked about avoiding a second-half collapse again, and then collapsed. Unlike 2011, 9-7 likely isn't good enough to get into the NFC playoffs.

Oh, there is a scenario for the Giants to still get into the playoffs. They need four specific results Sunday. But this team is not recovering from being outscored 67-13 over the last two weeks. They've morphed into a bad team, and they know it.

Around the League will stick a fork in teams believed to have no chance to make the playoffs. If we're wrong, we'll give a sizable check to charity and be publicly shamed.:

The team never put together an effective pass rush this season. Sacks can be overrated, but it's incredible that defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul leads the team with ... 6.5. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are big-name stars that played like replacement-level guys. Top cornerback Corey Webster had an awful season. Safety Kenny Phillips couldn't stay healthy. The linebacker positions rotated and looked very slow.

Nagging injuries were an issue throughout the team. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw rarely practiced. Eli Manning noted this made it difficult to get in synch as an offense. The offensive line gave up way too much pressure on Manning, who had his own dips in play, especially before the bye. Rookies like wide receiver Reuben Randle, running back David Wilson and cornerback Jayron Hosley weren't ready to be quality starters.

Manning's performance fell back into the "very good, but not quite great" category. He has 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and far fewer big plays. The 2011 season was undeniably the high point of his career so far, and he didn't quite hold on to the gains. The offense's December collapse is surprising, but it isn't the focus of the Giants' stuggles.

The defense was 30th in net yards-per-pass allowed. It was 28th in yards-per-carry allowed. Either the Giants' defensive talent was overrated or they massively underachieved.

It looks like the Giants found a long-term answer in tackle William Beatty. Pierre-Paul and wide receiver Victor Cruz might have been slightly off their 2011 pace, but they are franchise cornerstones to build around (Paul-Pierre became a fierce run stopper). Despite the two Super Bowls, the Giants still are consistently just better than average. The franchise wins 8-10 games a year and this season was no different.

What changes are coming

Only one season removed from a Super Bowl title, it's hard to imagine there will be changes to the Giants' coaching staff (although defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's chances of getting a head coaching job have not been improved). Umenyiora is right that "wholesale changes" probably are coming. Umenyiora and Tuck top the list of potential big names that could be let go. The team needs to upgrade from Chase Blackburn at linebacker. Tackle David Diehl has seemingly reached the end of the line with the team.

The Giants need to improve in a lot of areas, but they have enough core young pieces to build around. Improvement from the 2011 draft class and a strong draft next year by general manager Jerry Reese should put the Giants in position for another second-half collapse again next season.